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Worried About Lost Donkeys, and Stumbling on a Kingdom!


“Don’t worry about the donkeys you lost three days ago.
They’ve already been found. But who are all of the people
of Israel longing for? You and your father’s whole family!”
(I Samuel 9:20, NIV)

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We all have misplaced and even lost things that we treasure. Everybody should be able to identify with the cycle and anxiety of mentally backtracking, trying to recall where we lasted placed something.

There are people in the Bible we can identify with, who have lost things, too. There was a character in the Old Testament whose name was Saul.  He was from Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin. He seemed to be an average citizen who one day was sent on an assignment by his father to locate some of their donkeys who had ran away (I Sam. 9:1-27). The father was troubled by this lost (9:5). The family did a diligent search and Saul and his servant travelled to many areas, no doubt, spending days in the process. They came upon a prophet by the name of Samuel who had knowledge that the donkeys had been found. This must have taken a load off these two exhausted travelers! It’s is such a blessing when we find what we have lost!

While finding their donkeys seemed like a time for rejoicing, there is a greater blessing to this whole account in the book of I Samuel. The prophet further shared with Saul that God had called him to be king over all Israel! We see a perplexed man who was at a loss about a lowly animal, yet he was about to step into the greatest blessing he could not even have imagined!

It’s amazing how God can have some greater plan for a man or woman who, at present, is perplexed, and so unsure about loss. God has a way of showing us our future even when our present seems bleak. Saul’s mind was toward one of the lowest animals God had created and yet God’s mind was to give this man authority to oversee the kingdom of Israel! The scripture has declared that the people we read about in the Old Testament, such as Moses and David, in some unique way, are not complete without us (Heb. 11:39-40). It also states in verse 40: “God having provided some better thing for us”. Whatever the loss we may feel today, it is safe to say that God has some better thing for us tomorrow!

Here is a song about uncertain times and anxiety
when we are at a loss. Please click the link below:

Didn’t I Walk on Water

 

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Engaged for One Another!


Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan,
and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days,
night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and
so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:
and if I perish, I perish.
(Esther 4:16)

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Esther the queen was warned by her uncle that the position she held as queen would not exempt her from escaping the same fate that was planned for her people, the Jews. It’s hard to say what thoughts she entertained at this initial announcement that Haman had planned genocide for her people (Esther 4:14).

We are those who have been physically hard-hit by a current virus. Some have even lost their fight. We have heard some testimonies of others who are recovering. It is God’s mercy that there are some around us who, like Esther, have not had to grapple with this sentence and deep “shadow of death”. Those who contracted this virus face extreme mental and physical challenges. Imagine a similar account of the Jews in Esther’s day, knowing that they would be executed in a matter of days! There was great mourning and many laid prostrate in sack cloth and ashes (Esther 4:3). There was fasting, weeping, and wailing! Although Esther seemingly was not affected by what her fellow-Jews were facing (because her identity, as a Jew, was hidden), she still did the right thing by interceding for her people before the king. She approached the king and ask for mercy for those she loved. She could have lost her life by approaching him and eventually revealing to him that she was a Jew, as well.

Esther is an example to us. Those who have not been physically challenged with what is infecting others still have a responsibility to not only be concerned, but to be engaged! Like Esther, we owe it to those around us to intercede on their behalf with seasons of fasting and continual prayer. These are the times when those who feel secure in their homes are to become engaged! Mordecai told Esther, in so many words, that a palace and shelter would not save her. (She had to be engaged!) Only God has the option of saving us and those we know. Pray for those you know who are suffering severely. Also, fast for those you know who are suffering severely. Get out of places of comfort and, if physically possible, prostrate yourself before God! Cry out for those who need your voice!

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with
them; and them which suffer adversity, as being
yourselves also in the body. (Heb. 13:3)

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one
for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent
prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience,
in all things willing to live honestly. (Heb. 13:18)

I thank my God, making mention
of thee always in my prayers. (Phl. 1:4)

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that
through your prayers I shall be given unto you. (Phl. 1:22)

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and
when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32)

And when he [Peter] had considered the thing,
he came to the house of Mary the mother of John,
whose surname was Mark; where many were
gathered together praying [for him.] (Acts 12:12)

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through
your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. (Phl. 1:19)

 

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word
of the Lord may have free course, and be
glorified, even as it is with you. (II Thes. 3:1)

 

 

 

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An Excellent Spirit!


Daniel did a better job than the other two leaders or
any of the royal rulers. He was an unusually good and able man.
So the king planned to put him in charge of the whole kingdom.
(Daniel 6:3 NIRV)

 

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The world is currently looking for and calling up top notch nurses, doctors, scientists, researchers, inventors, social forecasters, along with anyone who has expertise in fighting a disease that challenges our way of survival. On the other hand — God is calling for men and women in the body of Christ who have many abilities. Those who God calls (to use their abilities) are needing one prevailing ingredient, which is an excellent spirit!

Many who serve God also have their professions, careers, and jobs, and make up a lot of the world’s workforce. Others have the task of home and family responsibilities. Daniel was such a man, who daily took care of the affairs of a nation and — according to the king — he maintained and excellent spirit! His “secret” no doubt, was his love and devotion toward his God!

Another great leader was Esther. This writer has heard some negative comments about Esther: how she planned evil to catch Haman in a trap. This writer strongly opposes this viewpoint! God judges evil intentions and actions, and He certainly would have judged Esther had she done any wrong. This would have been woven in the story, but we don’t see any trace of this in the author’s writings. Queen Esther was a women of integrity who stood up against what was evil and base. She knew her life and the lives of her people were at stake as she went before the king. We see her integrity, her caring, and so many other qualities that made up an excellent spirit! She appeared to be a women of prayer and had long been taught integrity by the example of her uncle Mordecai. God gave Esther the plans to overthrow evil Haman. We never see one time where Esther used her beauty or authority as queen, to undermine anyone. She simply asked for an audience with the king and Haman. This was her way of “going to the law” (who was the king) to expose the evil intents of a very evil man. Jesus told us to be wise as a serpent. Esther was simply wise as the serpent, Haman. She did nothing outside the bounds of God’s spiritual law and did not violate any of His principles, but maintained her excellent spirit!

The bible is filled with shining examples of those who maintained excellent spirits, like Joseph, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Nathanael, Dorcas, and others. Biblical history has taught us, it seems, that leaders who have had excellent spirits have come forth, to make a great difference, and keep the people alive in times of great trials!

While we work on our ministries, let us equally work on our spirits. It’s imperative that the two be one!

Finally, it’s important to note that an excellent spirit is a spirit that does not entertain unwholesome thoughts. We have the power to dismiss even thoughts that attempt to bombard our minds (Eph. 6:16)! During those times we may constantly quote the scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding (Prov. 3:5).

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
(Ps. 51:10)

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which
are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all,
and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
(Heb. 12:23)

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find
such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
(Gen. 41:38)

My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior…he hath regarded
the low estate of his handmaiden…He hat put down the
mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
(Luke 1:47-56)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise, think on these things.
(Phil. 4:8)

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